Alis Gardening Calendar for March 2026
Lego Landscaper
- Sow Tender Vegetables Indoors: Sow tomatoes, sweet peppers, chillies, and aubergines indoors under heat if needed, using Coco Coir or John Innes No. 1 compost.
- Note: Specific chilli and pepper preferences include sweet pepper mix, lunchbox peppers, tri-colour chillies, and jalapeño. Hot Pepper F1 Santana seeds were ordered on Feb 17.
- Sow Basil Indoors: Start basil seeds in the greenhouse or indoors with warmth.
- Sow Leeks Indoors/Outdoors: Start leeks from seed in Coco Coir.
- Plant Seed Potatoes: Plant chitted seed potatoes (First Earlies) in the garden.
- Plant Asparagus Crowns: Plant bare-root asparagus crowns (optimal time is March–April).
- Plant Onion Sets and Garlic Cloves: These can be planted outdoors now (late planting window extends to February/March).
- Sow Hardy Vegetable Seeds Outdoors: Sow seeds for beetroot, carrots, kale, lettuce, peas, radish, spinach, and spring onions directly into prepared beds or under cover.
- Pruning (Fruit Trees): Complete any remaining winter pruning on apple, cherry, pear, and plum trees if not finished in February.
- Pruning (Climbers): Prune the climbing hydrangea and consider taking semi-hardwood stem cuttings. Pin back any loose stems.
- Pruning (Roses): Finish pruning roses and remove any remaining black spot leaves.
- Feeding: Apply Growmore fertiliser to vegetable beds (one handful per square metre) and on the lawn.
- Mildew Prevention: Carry out a mildew prevention check (e.g., using Vitax Sulphur Ready). Continue liquid feeding with high potash feed (liquid tomato feed) every three weeks to strengthen cell walls against mildew.
- Pest Control (Fruit Trees): Apply Winter Tar Wash to apple trees if not yet done. Apply grease bands to fruit trees.
- Pest Control (Moths): Order and install Codling Moth Pheromone Traps for apple trees.
- Pest Control (Slugs): Order Slug Nematodes for pre-planting application. Also address any issues noted regarding slugs and frogs.
- Greenhouse Maintenance: Finish cleaning the greenhouse and set up the wires for the grape vine, addressing the hole in the glass.
- Prepare Beds: Prepare vegetable beds further by adding loam and Growmore fertiliser. Order spent mushroom compost for spring mulching.
Outstanding Tasks List
- Planning & Procurement
- Produce planting images and a comprehensive planting plan for the garden based on pictures provided.
- Confirm requirement and supply of a chipper.
- Address issue with rats in the garden/shed area.
- Review and plan for cane fruit management.
- Obtain/use a Green God plant smoker.
- Review plans for crop rotation.
- Client Communication & Support
- Organize and send tree growing kits to sons Rudy and Grayson.
- Investigate fundraising options and hook into Felix’s Peru go fund me page (gofund.me/724640d54) to generate money for his trip.
- Ensure John is added to the calendar sharing list.
- Materials & Infrastructure
- Order Spent Mushroom Compost for spring mulching.
- Purchase compost items: John Innes No. 1 (for seedlings/cuttings), No. 2 (for potting), Ericaceous compost (for blueberries), horticultural sand/perlite.
- Purchase materials for the compost bay (4 pallets).
- Purchase tools: Hand sprayer, fine rose watering can attachment, rooting hormone powder, propagation trays/small pots, terracotta pots.
- Purchase wildflower meadow seeds and micro clover seed.
- Source plastic sheeting (for preparing wildflower areas) and galvanised wire/plant supports.
- Links for Reference
- Planting Schedule Information: Gardening Calendar and Seasonal Tasks
- Fruit and Vegetable List: Grow Your Own Fruit and Vegetables
- Pruning Advice: Gardening Courses Information